A Test Of Steel [OOC/ Cobalt Network SPONSORED]

[Barbaziun]

---

OP: Barbaziun
CO-OP:Kaledoria and Axis Asteroid
IE: Gotaloelr
Region: The Viking Lands
Map (Thank Kaledoria)
IC

---

So a new dawn has arisen. Your people await your orders. Can you lead them to victory, or will you only let them down?

---

Welcome to the 'Test of Steel' RP! This RP is a nation and semi-character based RP in which you choose a kingdom (tribe, clan, etc...) and rule over them. In each post I would like you to address your ruler as well as what you are doing with your tribe. Sub-stories are great to! For example is you send a group of adventurers off to do something write about it. Of course run the adventure and goals by me but you get the idea. The time period for this RP will be set in a Medieval Fantasy sort of time period. Form you nation, and rule over it. This RP requires at least one post of at least 3 paragraphs every other week. As of now we do not have a map, but I am working on it. If this gets large enough this will become a regional role play for The Viking Tribes, so be sure to join the region! This shouldn't be to demanding and I am looking forward to getting this started!

In this RP you will run a fantasy nation. You will lead your people to triumph and through failures. Random events will happen to your kingdom and you as a leader will have to face the challenges ahead of you. Can you stand the test of time?

---

Rules

1.When posting, please be readable. No texting language allowed in the IC.

2. NO GOD-MODDING, you will be kicked for this.

3. Be respectful to others, in return they will respect you

4. No whining, if you have a legitimate complaint then telegram me.

5. Do not just post about one thing (war for example) your nation has needs so be sure to address them.

6. If you are writing a letter to others, write the letter out.

7. Do not quote others in the IC unless absolutely necessary.

8. Admins have the final word, don't go against it

9. Use common sense, if you are being an idiot in the OOC you will get kicked.

10. The IE will post every 2 weeks after everyone has posted, this will include random events sprung upon your nation.

11. What the IE says goes, the IE determines results of wars, battles, and decisions that your place will be making

12. You start out with ONE city, town, tribe, etc... Nothing more.

---

Code: Select all

[b]NS name:[/b]
[b]Nation Name (IC):[/b]
[b]Flag:[/b]
[b]Type of Ruling (Monarch, Theocracy, etc...):[/b]
[b]Race (Orcs, dwarves, humans, etc...):[/b]
[b]Leader Name:[/b]
[b]Leader Description (Picture can substitute the written description):[/b]
[b]Leader Story:[/b]
[b]Starting Place: (City, town, tribe, etc...)[/b]
[b]Starting Place Picture:[/b] (Optional)
[b]Population:[/b]
[b]Military Numbers:[/b]
[b]Special Military Equipment: (Etc Longboats, axes, etc... Limit only two to start with)[/b]
[b]Brief History About your Nation:[/b] (Include weaponry and special things about your village)


[Danceria]

Can this be tagged?

[Barbaziun]

Can this be tagged?

I believe so

[Barbaziun]

NS name: Barbaziun
Nation Name (IC): Vargshall
Type of Ruling (Monarch, Theocracy, etc...): Tribe Monarchy
Race (Orcs, dwarves, humans, etc...): Humans
Leader Name: Rodmar Gautsson
Leader Description:

Leader Story: Rodmar grew up in the far north in the Viking Tribe of Vargshall. Here he fought side by side with his brothers and grew up as a warrior. By the time he was a middle aged man he was already a great leader in combat. Their village was sacked one day. A rouge orc tribe had found them and overran the tribe. This crime left their village destroyed and even killed the Jarl. Chaos ensued, but, Rodmar took a stance and gained control of the tribe. He helped lead the effort to rebuild the village and seek revenge on the attackers. He found their camp and showed no mercy by leading his armed men to victory as he slaughtered the orcs that killed his very Jarl . As a warrior, Rodmar taught his tribe to fight for glory and honor. He believes heavily in Norse Mythology. He also takes honor, loyalty, and respect above everything. He likes his place in the far north and on the coast as both strategic and isolated. He has fought
Starting Place: Tribe/ Village (A little bit of both)
Starting place name: Vargshall
Starting Place Picture:

Brief History About your Nation: This nation is based on the Vikings. They believe in the same gods and feel the same way. They are mostly farmers and craftsmen, who are trained to go into combat. They have long ships, axes, and tons of beer. They seek out adventure and coin. They fight for their village and for the promise to go to Valhalla.

[UniversalCommons]

NS name: UniversalCommons
Nation Name (IC): Boglandia
Type of Ruling (Monarch, Theocracy, etc...): Monarchy
Race (Orcs, dwarves, humans, etc...): Lizard Men (Cultured)
Leader Name: Hresh Sesh
Leader Description (Picture can substitute the written description): Hresh Sesh is lizard man. He is the lore keeper and warrior of the tribe. He is six feet tall with black scales and a pattern of red diamonds on his back with blue star pattern on his forehead. He has deep green eyes and a pink forked tongue. There are tribal tattoos on his arms with lizards biting their tails. He is muscular with broad shoulders. He has black claws on his six fingered hands and six fingered feet. He has a thick prehensile tail. He carries a large round spiked shield and wears heavy lizard hide armor and a large spiked bog iron mace when he goes into battle.
Leader Story: Hresh Shesh showed promise even before his senescence. In the creche pools, he got to the fish kills quicker, and fought off other lizard pups before his senescence. At his senescence, he was shown to have intelligence. Not all lizard men become very intelligent. Some are born simple, but capable enough to harvest mushrooms, catch meat beetles, or fish. The creche mother chose to give him the special diet of a warrior. He grew strong and learned the way of the warrior. During his early days, he repelled human invaders, even capturing a few of them as a warrior. He was quick in thought as well, he listened to the language of the humans which the lizards did not speak. He learned a few words. This led to him being able to capture some humans instead of killing them. He learned from the humans. In the next battle, he spoke calling for them to fight one to one. The human champion came forth and Hresh Shesh fought him breaking his shield and leg, forcing the human to yield. Hresh Shesh brought the healer forth and had the man healed. The humans withdrew. Because of his winning the battle, he was taken to the lore keeper where he recited his story and was tattooed for leadership.
Special Weapons: Spidersilk weighted nets-large enough to cover a human sized person. Brood lizards-- large thick skinned attack lizards trained to track and guard.
Starting Place: (City, town, tribe, etc...) Town surrounded by a bog with quicksand and large guard lizards.
Starting place name: Granite. Granite is a large town with walls and thorn hedges. There is a meeting hall for warriors, a domed temple of the Great Egg, a underground temple for the Father Earth, Farms, Fishery Pools, Creches, alchemy labs, and a house of knowledge.
Starting Place Picture: (Optional)
Brief History About your Nation: Boglandia was formed in a bog. The lizard man came from the forests to search for a safe place to build their homes. They found the bog to their liking. At the time, it was far away from the other races and peaceful. They built stone houses, carved statues to the Earth Father and the Great Egg, built farming mounds for vegetables, mushrooms, herbs, and alchemical plants, made pools to grow fish and crayfish, and made lizard pens. The lore masters built the house of knowledge, making paper from reeds, and gathering herbs for alchemy and healing. They grew and prospered spreading across the swamp. They found bog iron and beat it into spears and darts for hunting. They drove away the goblins who would steal from them and the giant spiders and giant rats making their place safe. Then the humans came. They raided to take the alchemical herbs, peat, bog iron, and other resources from the lizard men. There was a war and eventually a truce with a trading post between the humans and the lizard men. The lizard men fortified their homes. Lizard men are armed with spear, shield, and spidersilk net, Spear shield, and darts, or heavy mace, shield, and sling. They wear crocodile hide armor, reinforced with bog iron. The brood lizard handlers have adopted the human crossbow recently and begun to make bolts for them.

[Kaledoria]

NS name: Kaledoria
Nation Name (IC): Röken
Type of Ruling: Oligarchic City state and Principally
Race: Multi-Cultured (Humans 34%, Goblins 30%, Orcs 21%, Wolfmen 6%, Dwarves 3%, Other 6%)
Leader Name: Prince Conner Theodrik (Official), Chancelor Gedrik Kipkit (The real power behind the throne)
Leader Description:
Conner Theodrik: Young (26 years), handsome ruler, long blond hair, hint of a beard. Simple chest tattoo and a smaller, finer one on the right shoulder. Usually wears a black and yellow tunic, leather boots and sometimes a fine sleeveless shirt of mail and a black and yellow surcoat.

Gedrik Kipkit is a strong, tall (for his kin) Goblin in his late 20s. He has tan skin and large, greenish eyes and short hair.
Leader Story:
Conner Theodrik: Conner was just two years old, when his grandfather Carlrik was elected Prince of Röken on the basis of strengthening the rights of the nobility and generally being good for business. It ended a four princes long dynasty of the Aethgar family. Carlrik's rule was prosperous and he was generally well liked, but in some regards, his laissez-fair approach left the military divided and poorly organized.
When Carlrik died and with the neighbors looking greedy at Röken's wealth, the council looked for a Prince with a military background. Carlrik's only son was not that men, he too was in his late 40s and clearly past his physical prime. And a man more concerned with monetary stuff and administration on top of it. The grandson Connor, however, had already spend two years as a Hedge knight and four years as a squire and had recently been accepted to the Order of the Black Dragon, a prestigious order of knights.

Gedrik Kipkit: Being the child of the two most influential Goblin families of Röken, Gedrik was destined to play a role in the Grand City's politics. In his youth, he spend much time at the Guard's barracks. From early on, he trained with the Orcs in order to gain their respect. He realized, that Orcs and Goblins alike were fed up with the human dominance over Röken.
When he was finally appointed to the Council at the age of 24, he secretly organized a food shortage, to which he then came to save the city from. Gaining the favor of the Prince, he was able to have an election of titles held. With the common votes of the Orcish and Goblin families, he was elected Chancellor.
Starting Place: City of Röken
Starting Place Picture: (Optional)
Population: 90,000 in the Grand City, 500,000 in the Principally (This should be centrally coordinated)
Brief history about your nation: Founded 1200 years ago as the northernmost trade port by the < Carthage-standin-nation >, when their hegemon abandoned them during the < Punic War > about 150 years later, the southern-ethnic population found the local human tribe to protect them against the aggressive Orc and Goblin tribes.

For 500 years, Röken was just a low-key human settlement, as the population of the Settlers merged with the tribal population and the advanced architecture was copied by other settlements, until the great Beastmen invasion. The native tribes unified and needed a common meeting place. Röken was choosen due to its central location and the fact, that the geography and the old fortifications made it well defendable.

After the Beastmen were defeated, cooperation between the tribes continued. There was a surge in craftsmanship of ships. Various types of long- and broad-ships were invented, some to improve the transport of goods along the principality's rivers, some for more military uses. Röken became the port from which many raids to the southern lands were organized and it was in response to the various craftsmen - shipbuilders, weapon-smiths, innkeepers - and mercenary captains, that the rapidly expanding city took a neutral stance in tribal affairs.

The Golden Age of plunder lasted about 300 years, until more competition and better defenses in their raiding grounds stopped the influx of wealth. Tentions between the City and the tribes rose. The Lord Mayor Marten of Röken realized that a new system of land tenure was needed, as well as mercantilist politics, in order to supplement the unsustainably high population. However the tribes resisted and civil war ensured.

The city was home to many warriors and mercenaries and (for the time) great reserves of gold. The tribes were foremost disunited. But they were also many. And the Röken Warbands were not used to fight a war of subjugation. The civil war lasted (with some local interruptions) 20 years and in the end, the population had dropped by one fourth. Lord Mayor Marten had died in the war but his successor, Lord Mayor Theodan stood victorious over the tribes. The tenures and tributes set upon the tribes were reasonable (mild, compared to the damage the tribal rebellion had caused), yet they also were very specialized to the respective tribes' geographies, and the trade was heavily regulated in order to establish Röken as the central marketplace not only for foreigners but also for the tribes among each other.

Röken emerged from their troubled decade as a strong self-sustained nation. Following Lord-Mayors would call themselves Princes. With their neighbors' economies going through changes, too, Röken directed its mercantile politics outwards.

The central power of the Prince had always been limited in Röken. Due to its elective nature, taxes in Röken were always kept low by populists' promises, tariffs make up the larger part of the Principality's income. However behind the Prince's thrown, power did consolidate about 70 years ago in the form of about 20 families, that consolidated much of the trade, production and landownership below themselves. They also own the Principality's strong navy, as in peacetime most of the ships are used for trade and transportation.
They control the Principality's Council and as the council controls the matters of tariffs and treasury, they can in theory cut of the money with which the Prince pays the army. This gives them a great leverage, that they are using in the everyday administration of Röken. And in fact this administration has proven most efficient and many of the wealthy families are talking of a new golden age to come.

(Sorry, I'm not so good with the "brief" part)

Military and stuff: (Working)
While Conner is doing his best so far to organize the military into a coherent force, there still are a lot of different hierarchies and individual contracts of vassalage with different terms.
In terms of equipment, knights and their retainers own the best equipment, and usually make up the bulk of the cavalry.
The Röken city forces are next best equipped, they provide heavy infantry (large round shields and axes, swords or short spears) and pikemen/billmen.
Finally the armories of the countryside are least well filled. The levies from the Principality make up light infantry, support pikemen and the bulk of archers.

The jewel of Röken is it's navy. Besides several dozens of smaller long- and broad-ships, there are 12 war galleys (50 oarsmen each), four double-galleys (120 oarsmen) and the flagship, a larger triple-decked galley with 240 oarsmen and 40 marines.
The warships are equipped with ballistas, that can throw spears, harpoons or pots of fire against their enemies.

[Barbaziun]

APP

APP

Looks good, both of you guys are accepted. should get the OOC up and find a map today

[Kaledoria]

APP

APP

Looks good, both of you guys are accepted. should get the OOC up and find a map today

Since this here is the OOC, do you mean the IC?
I would wait for some more people, four is usually a good number of writers and some people usually drop out in the first 1-2 weeks.


If you have anything very specific in mind for a map, I like mapmaking.



About size and population:
In Medieval/Viking Times, population density in Europe would go up to about 25 people per km² - for very densely populated areas like Italy or Belgium. I would suggest more like 10-15 for climates similar to northern Germany or England and around 5 /km² for climates like Scandinavia.
Given that I have applied for 590,000 people, I seam to think, ~50,000 km² is a nice size for an independent real, so like one Netherlands or Denmark in the fertile or and Ireland or Czech Rep. more to the cooler climate.
If approximately circular, 50,000 km² is about 250 km or 155 miles across.

Edit2: But I could do with only up to 250,000 total pop/realm, too, if we want to play a more politically fractured setting

[Barbaziun]

Since this here is the OOC, do you mean the IC?
I would wait for some more people, four is usually a good number of writers and some people usually drop out in the first 1-2 weeks.


If you have anything very specific in mind for a map, I like mapmaking.



About size and population:
In Medieval/Viking Times, population density in Europe would go up to about 25 people per km² - for very densely populated areas like Italy or Belgium. I would suggest more like 10-15 for climates similar to northern Germany or England and around 5 /km² for climates like Scandinavia.
Given that I have applied for 590,000 people, I seam to think, ~50,000 km² is a nice size for an independent real, so like one Netherlands or Denmark in the fertile or and Ireland or Czech Rep. more to the cooler climate.
If approximately circular, 50,000 km² is about 250 km or 155 miles across.

Edit2: But I could do with only up to 250,000 total pop/realm, too, if we want to play a more politically fractured setting

Hah yeah sorry I meant IC. If you would like to make the map I am fine with that. I think a bigger map would be nice, but it is completely up to you. I think a good variety of climates would be necessary as I am in the far north and I assume not everyone wants to be in a frigid place.

[Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States]

Yes yes, quite good

[Barbaziun]

Yes yes, quite good

?

[Shadow Guard]

tag

[UniversalCommons]

We would like to be in a bog next to a forest on the map. It should be inland from the sea on the border of the cold lands. There should fairly thick forests around the bog.

[Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States]

NS name: Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States
Nation Name (IC): The City and the Lands of Rro-Rranda (Tes Territas Rro-Rrandak)
Type of Ruling: Theocratic Timocratic Elective Tribe
Race: Orcs
Leader Name: Graah-Haag (Translated as ‘Prince’, ‘Ruler’, or ‘Sovereign’, literally ‘He who shot the arrow furthest and most accurately in a competition’) Tan-Terrban ‘The Law-giver’
Leader Description: Tan-Terrban is a mighty orc, standing tall even among his fellow orcs. He has a low brow and a threatening demeanour, even for one of his kind. Half his scalp is overgrown with long, white hair, while the other half of his scalp is bald and scarred. His body is covered with scars, but the regal clothing of his position keep those out of sight. The regal mantle of an orcish Graah-Haag is made of the hides of all the animals he has slain, and the mantle of Tan-Terrban is long and ornate, sporting such regalia as bear claws and lion skins. Rumour has it that he is growing blind in one eye, but those rumours don’t seem to be substantiated.
Leader Story: Tan-Terrban was once a son of a small clan of orcs, living with his family in a village on the edge of the Great Plains. He was an avid horseman, riding the fierce Plain Horses from a young age. These beasts are grand horses, with the strength to carry an orc or pull a large wagon. Like any orc, Tan-Terrban learned how to shoot a bow as soon as he could stand. Archery is a proud skill among the Rro-Rranda orcs, and they partake in the art from a young age, letting it play a central role in their society. A good archer, after all, is both strong (having to pull the bowstring) and smart (predicting the arc of the arrow), and a good archer has to be wise (to know when to pull the string and when not to). Being naturally inclined in both horse-riding and archery, Tan-Terrban joined in the service of the Graah-Haag of the time, Pnuuur the Fortifier. Pnuuur strengthened the borders of the realm with many watch towers and guard posts, defending the peasants against attacks from both robbers and wild animals. During a routine inspection, the caravan of the great lord Utrre was ambushed by a band of human bandits. All his retinue was killed except for him and Tan-Terrban, who had joined as his guard. Tan-Terrban slew all the robbers with a mighty fury, which such skill that great lord Uttre adopted him as his son.

Adoption, in orcish society, is a very important thing. Children are like slaves to their parents, beholden to their every command as if they were a slave. In return, they get to be a part of a greater family. Some orcs are adopted multiple times in their life, especially if they want to climb the social ladder. Being a part of a great family is the only way to become anything in orcish politics. The only difference between slaves and sons is that sons often get better access to luxuries, and that they are not inherited after their father dies. The normal slaves are, after all.

Being adopted into a great house, Tan-Terrban made quite a name for himself. Normally, one would only enter a great house on the second or third adoption, but the heroic act of Tan-Terrban made him an instant hit among the orcish higher classes. He was given a fort to hold in the south, an area sparsely colonised by orcs. There he slew many great beasts, but also made sure law and order were followed even in the fringe-towns. Not only was he a protector, he would also act as judge, for he was knowledgeable in the ways of the law. He settled many disputes great and small, and became beloved by merchants and townsfolk alike. Soon, he was holding court in his little hill fort.

However, it was then that word reached him of the death of the Graah-Haag Pnuuur. Not only that, but an arrow with his name had been shot into the Board of Challenge, meaning he had been nominated to contend as his successor. Quickly, Tan-Terrban travelled back to the capital, where he was greeted with jubilation and fear. Three challengers had had their name shot into the Board of Challenge: Tan-Terrban, Hrrvor Tep, and Hussu, all strong candidates. Hrrvor Tep was an adopted son of Pnuuur, and therefore seen as his favourite pick. Hussu was a great merchant, and the pick for a rival house to that of Pnuuur. As three contenders had stood up, the ancient rites of election were to be held.

The ancient rites of election are, as the name suggest, ancient. They are a mix of the occult and the practical, of religion and skill. A council of elder priests make note of how many voters there are in a given election, counted per family member who has a home of his own. Big families have more votes, but also as many people to contend with. While families often vote as one, this is not a requirement. Then, the council of priests measures a field, and places as many targets there as there are contestants, one next to the other. The targets are placed just outside the range of an orcish long bow. Then, the votes are counted. Every vote brings the target one step closer. The more votes one has, the closer the target comes to the shooter. Then, the contestants are given identical, consecrated bows. They shoot arrows in rounds, one after the other, into the target. Every round is consecrated in the name of some god, from lowest in the pantheon to highest. This list is also made by the council of priests. The arrows are shot one by one, and once an arrow misses, the shooter is eliminated. As orcs are culturally good at shooting bows, these contests can take very long, and contestants are not allowed to eat, drink or rest during the contest, as it is a holy ritual. Eventually, one contestant remains standing, who is elected as the new sovereign. His election is consecrated in his own blood, as half his scalp is removed from his head, a signal of high honour. It is then for the spirits of health to decide amongst themselves if the orc is a worthy leader. If he lives, he is chosen, and his reign is dedicated to the god of the round he won.

At the cote, the son of the dead sovereign received the most votes, followed by Tan-Terrban. Hussu received the least votes. At noon, Hussu missed his first arrow. Then, at dusk, once the sun started to set, Hrrvor Tep missed his arrow, in the round of the God of Judges. Tan-Terrban was scalped and survived, thus honouring his reign in the name of the God of Judges. Since then, he has led a peaceful rule, in which many laws were codified and literacy among the orcs rose. He has been known to judge fairly in all cases, judging rich and poor by the same standards, and protecting the needy against overly harsh and ancient laws. He has been growing old of late, which might invite a contender to shoot at the Board of Challenge while he is still alive.
Starting Place: On a fertile desert river
Starting Place Picture:

Population: 480.000
Brief History About your Nation: A history of the nation of Rro-Rranda is difficult to describe; it is as much legend as it is myth, and as much myth as it is actual history. The three are interwoven to a degree that no historian can differentiate between it all, and historic tales must always be taken with a good handful of salt.

The orcs of Rro-Rranda have a cosmology heavily based on the idea that everything is born from something, and that everything perishes likewise after some time. So it is with all that lives, so it is with all that does not live, and so it is with the entirety of the universe. The world is always in an arc, either rising or falling, an almost infinite system of rises and falls going up through the heavens. Once, the world was barren and empty, formed like any rock one might find in the river. Then, by some sudden event, life was brought into this world. At first it was small, made up of insects and mice, but soon it grew to epic proportions. At the height of life in the world, dragons and enormous lizards roamed the world, together with giants the size of mountains.

According to legend, the orcs were created before the Height, before dragons and trolls came to be. However, the Rro-Rranda orcs were given the Gift of Invention, learning how to use tools unlike the other birds and beast of the land. First, they conquered fire, after which they made spears and hammers, huts and houses. With all this technology and strength, they built the Great Cities, which stood as monuments to their immensely powerful civilization. This was all done in preparation of the Height, for the Rro-Rranda (heirs of greatness in their tongue) were masters of science and predicted that great beasts would come to them in time. Indeed, dragons and giants roamed the earth for centuries, and the Rro-Rranda fought a war of epic proportions to safeguard their world. This is known as the Age of Heroes, and many of the great legends and myths take place during this time.

After many centuries of conflict with the Great Beings, both they and the Rro-Rranda were exhausted. Cities lay in ruin and rivers had turned red with blood. In a desperate attempt to save his people, Ytruu the dragon-slayer led an exodus of his people into the mountains, living in caves where the giants and dragons could not touch them. For a hundred years, his people dwelled among the mountains, always living in the shadows except for a short time around noon. After a hundred years, the descendants of the dragon-slayer and his people moved back into the world. They only found death and ruin, their cities had been destroyed and their people massacred. The dragons, trolls and giants had gone too, though, and the world was made safe for habitation. This, however, as everyone knew, was the Downward Arch. Never again would a great civilization like theirs come to be, and everything that came after them would be worse than those who came before. According to legend, all other sentient beings were created by the Gods after this, to watch the decline of the world as it happened.

Of course, there is little to no historical evidence for all this. Written records in the area where the Rro-Rranda lived are only dated as far back as 3000 years ago, while the Age of Heroes supposedly ended 10.000 years ago. Still, the orcs still count their years from the moment that the orcs returned from their mountain lairs, pretending in earnest like it all really happened. 3000 years ago, the orcs lived in small communities along the river that runs through their desert, starting with such technologies as agriculture and irrigation. Over that period, cities began to form, with the main cultural and trading hub supplied by the City of Rro-Rranda, named after the people that inhabited that area. Having a natural control over the rest of the region, the rulers of Rro-Rranda became rulers of the entire area through shrewd diplomacy and conquest alike. Eventually, the entire delta and the run of the river were subjugated to their control.

The world has been peaceful since then. There have been plenty of civil wars, but those were more the exception than the rule. Most of the their time the orcs have spent colonizing formerly inhospitable areas overrun with wild animals, a call-back to the Days of Yore when orcs still fought dragons and giants. They also partake in trade, in both resources and slaves. Slavery is a big part of the orcish economy, as the nobility spends very little time actually working. Instead, they train for combat and hunt, having lavish feasts and riding races between themselves. Slaves do all the hard work, with laborers existing to do the less menial tasks. However, slaves are also an important part of the bureaucracy, and it is possible to be both a slave and to be a very respected person. However, you will always remain the property of someone.

[Barbaziun]

NS name: Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States
Nation Name (IC): The City and the Lands of Rro-Rranda (Tes Territas Rro-Rrandak)
Type of Ruling: Theocratic Timocratic Elective Tribe
Race: Orcs
Leader Name: Graah-Haag (Translated as ‘Prince’, ‘Ruler’, or ‘Sovereign’, literally ‘He who shot the arrow furthest and most accurately in a competition’) Tan-Terrban ‘The Law-giver’
Leader Description: Tan-Terrban is a mighty orc, standing tall even among his fellow orcs. He has a low brow and a threatening demeanour, even for one of his kind. Half his scalp is overgrown with long, white hair, while the other half of his scalp is bald and scarred. His body is covered with scars, but the regal clothing of his position keep those out of sight. The regal mantle of an orcish Graah-Haag is made of the hides of all the animals he has slain, and the mantle of Tan-Terrban is long and ornate, sporting such regalia as bear claws and lion skins. Rumour has it that he is growing blind in one eye, but those rumours don’t seem to be substantiated.
Leader Story: Tan-Terrban was once a son of a small clan of orcs, living with his family in a village on the edge of the Great Plains. He was an avid horseman, riding the fierce Plain Horses from a young age. These beasts are grand horses, with the strength to carry an orc or pull a large wagon. Like any orc, Tan-Terrban learned how to shoot a bow as soon as he could stand. Archery is a proud skill among the Rro-Rranda orcs, and they partake in the art from a young age, letting it play a central role in their society. A good archer, after all, is both strong (having to pull the bowstring) and smart (predicting the arc of the arrow), and a good archer has to be wise (to know when to pull the string and when not to). Being naturally inclined in both horse-riding and archery, Tan-Terrban joined in the service of the Graah-Haag of the time, Pnuuur the Fortifier. Pnuuur strengthened the borders of the realm with many watch towers and guard posts, defending the peasants against attacks from both robbers and wild animals. During a routine inspection, the caravan of the great lord Utrre was ambushed by a band of human bandits. All his retinue was killed except for him and Tan-Terrban, who had joined as his guard. Tan-Terrban slew all the robbers with a mighty fury, which such skill that great lord Uttre adopted him as his son.

Adoption, in orcish society, is a very important thing. Children are like slaves to their parents, beholden to their every command as if they were a slave. In return, they get to be a part of a greater family. Some orcs are adopted multiple times in their life, especially if they want to climb the social ladder. Being a part of a great family is the only way to become anything in orcish politics. The only difference between slaves and sons is that sons often get better access to luxuries, and that they are not inherited after their father dies. The normal slaves are, after all.

Being adopted into a great house, Tan-Terrban made quite a name for himself. Normally, one would only enter a great house on the second or third adoption, but the heroic act of Tan-Terrban made him an instant hit among the orcish higher classes. He was given a fort to hold in the south, an area sparsely colonised by orcs. There he slew many great beasts, but also made sure law and order were followed even in the fringe-towns. Not only was he a protector, he would also act as judge, for he was knowledgeable in the ways of the law. He settled many disputes great and small, and became beloved by merchants and townsfolk alike. Soon, he was holding court in his little hill fort.

However, it was then that word reached him of the death of the Graah-Haag Pnuuur. Not only that, but an arrow with his name had been shot into the Board of Challenge, meaning he had been nominated to contend as his successor. Quickly, Tan-Terrban travelled back to the capital, where he was greeted with jubilation and fear. Three challengers had had their name shot into the Board of Challenge: Tan-Terrban, Hrrvor Tep, and Hussu, all strong candidates. Hrrvor Tep was an adopted son of Pnuuur, and therefore seen as his favourite pick. Hussu was a great merchant, and the pick for a rival house to that of Pnuuur. As three contenders had stood up, the ancient rites of election were to be held.

The ancient rites of election are, as the name suggest, ancient. They are a mix of the occult and the practical, of religion and skill. A council of elder priests make note of how many voters there are in a given election, counted per family member who has a home of his own. Big families have more votes, but also as many people to contend with. While families often vote as one, this is not a requirement. Then, the council of priests measures a field, and places as many targets there as there are contestants, one next to the other. The targets are placed just outside the range of an orcish long bow. Then, the votes are counted. Every vote brings the target one step closer. The more votes one has, the closer the target comes to the shooter. Then, the contestants are given identical, consecrated bows. They shoot arrows in rounds, one after the other, into the target. Every round is consecrated in the name of some god, from lowest in the pantheon to highest. This list is also made by the council of priests. The arrows are shot one by one, and once an arrow misses, the shooter is eliminated. As orcs are culturally good at shooting bows, these contests can take very long, and contestants are not allowed to eat, drink or rest during the contest, as it is a holy ritual. Eventually, one contestant remains standing, who is elected as the new sovereign. His election is consecrated in his own blood, as half his scalp is removed from his head, a signal of high honour. It is then for the spirits of health to decide amongst themselves if the orc is a worthy leader. If he lives, he is chosen, and his reign is dedicated to the god of the round he won.

At the cote, the son of the dead sovereign received the most votes, followed by Tan-Terrban. Hussu received the least votes. At noon, Hussu missed his first arrow. Then, at dusk, once the sun started to set, Hrrvor Tep missed his arrow, in the round of the God of Judges. Tan-Terrban was scalped and survived, thus honouring his reign in the name of the God of Judges. Since then, he has led a peaceful rule, in which many laws were codified and literacy among the orcs rose. He has been known to judge fairly in all cases, judging rich and poor by the same standards, and protecting the needy against overly harsh and ancient laws. He has been growing old of late, which might invite a contender to shoot at the Board of Challenge while he is still alive.
Starting Place: On a fertile desert river
Starting Place Picture:

(Image)

Population: 480.000
Brief History About your Nation: We’ll get to this! It’s basically more of the above.

Looks awesome, accepted!

[Mechanist Combine]

(Removed By Poster)

[Kaledoria]

(...)
Leader Name: Graah-Haag (Translated as ‘Prince’, ‘Ruler’, or ‘Sovereign’, literally ‘He who shot the arrow furthest and most accurately in a competition’) Tan-Terrban ‘The Law-giver’ (...)

Okay, I gotta ask: What are the words for "shoot", "arrow", "far", "accurate" and "competition" in this language? And how does that compose to "Graah-Haag".
Might this be relevant?

Also, After reading the leader description, that is not Theocratic (Just that the Ceremony is conducted by the priest does not make it a Theocracy, the Catholic nobility was also coroneted by Bishops and such but that die not make them Theocracies). That is more of a Meritocracy, if I've ever seen one. (Not in the sense that the most competent rulers rule but rather in the literal sense that you earn the title through your own merit (even though it's in a competition that does not directly reflect your ability as a leader of people ))

[Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States]

(...)
Leader Name: Graah-Haag (Translated as ‘Prince’, ‘Ruler’, or ‘Sovereign’, literally ‘He who shot the arrow furthest and most accurately in a competition’) Tan-Terrban ‘The Law-giver’ (...)

Okay, I gotta ask: What are the words for "shoot", "arrow", "far", "accurate" and "competition" in this language? And how does that compose to "Graah-Haag".
Might this be relevant?

Also, After reading the leader description, that is not Theocratic (Just that the Ceremony is conducted by the priest does not make it a Theocracy, the Catholic nobility was also coroneted by Bishops and such but that die not make them Theocracies). That is more of a Meritocracy, if I've ever seen one. (Not in the sense that the most competent rulers rule but rather in the literal sense that you earn the title through your own merit (even though it's in a competition that does not directly reflect your ability as a leader of people ))

There isn't really a single phrase in English for that word. Because archery is such an important cultural concept, the language has developed a single word for that entire English phrase, which is common in language development. Dutch has a lot of different words for 'body of water', for example.

As for the theocracy, I will write up something on the governmental system. Rest assured, it will become more theocratic, because as you said, merely having the council of priests setting out the targets is not a theocracy. The Graah-Haag will share power with the clergy as well, but that will all be recounted in the history.

[Kaledoria]

Okay, I gotta ask: What are the words for "shoot", "arrow", "far", "accurate" and "competition" in this language? And how does that compose to "Graah-Haag".
Might this be relevant?

Also, After reading the leader description, that is not Theocratic (Just that the Ceremony is conducted by the priest does not make it a Theocracy, the Catholic nobility was also coroneted by Bishops and such but that die not make them Theocracies). That is more of a Meritocracy, if I've ever seen one. (Not in the sense that the most competent rulers rule but rather in the literal sense that you earn the title through your own merit (even though it's in a competition that does not directly reflect your ability as a leader of people ))

There isn't really a single phrase in English for that word. Because archery is such an important cultural concept, the language has developed a single word for that entire English phrase, which is common in language development. Dutch has a lot of different words for 'body of water', for example.

As for the theocracy, I will write up something on the governmental system. Rest assured, it will become more theocratic, because as you said, merely having the council of priests setting out the targets is not a theocracy. The Graah-Haag will share power with the clergy as well, but that will all be recounted in the history.

The TV-Troopes page lists the German "Zugzwang", meaning a situation, where one side is at a disadvantage because they has to make a move when they would prefer to pass. However, literally it just means "move-obligation".

And yeah I can see, how the Orcs could have a specific word for a shot that is both accurate and far at the same time (Graah) and that they use a different term for the arrows that are used in the grand-chief ceremony then the arrows they use in war or hunting (like "Haarn", of which the possessive form is or was "Haag", when the ritual was invented).

[Barbaziun]

Are we ready to start the IC?

[Tertuath Hath]

Tag

[Kaledoria]

Barbaziun: Can you tell us more about the world at large? Just a rough overview so that we can write some consistent image of what's happening beyond our respective borders?

I mean, with only 4 nations, there will be a lot of white space on the map (and hopefully someone still joins to fill some parts of it) but it would be nice to know, what the landmasses and maybe the general distribution of races is (and maybe "from there comes the savage hordes, over here you have more civilized nations")

[UniversalCommons]

I would like to do an introductory post in the IC, just to show who we are. We should start with that.

[Barbaziun]

Barbaziun: Can you tell us more about the world at large? Just a rough overview so that we can write some consistent image of what's happening beyond our respective borders?

I mean, with only 4 nations, there will be a lot of white space on the map (and hopefully someone still joins to fill some parts of it) but it would be nice to know, what the landmasses and maybe the general distribution of races is (and maybe "from there comes the savage hordes, over here you have more civilized nations")

I think in the North we have a cold mountainous region filled with forests. I think to the west their will be a forest and then the swamp. A desert will be in the south east. Directly east their is are rolling hills and planes. Trees are here as well, but it is not as thick as a forest. Barbarians are found throughout the map in different forms. You will have more like raider parties in the desert and Viking like people in the North. Races are pretty divided, although they like to travel around. The mountains are home to tons of underground dwarven cities. Human villages are sort of scattered around all over. Most races are pretty scattered, but, there are cities, kingdoms, and tribes that only allow certain races to enter.

Anything we should add?

[Greater Liverpool]

Are Nomads allowed?